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Monday, August 30, 2010

Getting My Head Around It

An event which encompasses the entire 71.1 miles of the Massanutten Trail.

Sigh. I'm really in over my head. Or at least that's the why I feel. The more I read, the more frightened I become. (Then Kim, stop reading!!!!)

Tonight I went over the map, to refresh some of the names. Signal Knob. Veach Gap. Camp Roosevelt. Lots of labels with "Mountain" on them.

Tomorrow I am off work. I need to pack my clothes for the run; my single drop bag I am allowed. I need to look over the map some more. I need to laminate the MMT Trail description (which is backwards to the direction we'll be running, I guess that will keep me alert!)

I need to get up around 3am on Friday to meet Slim over at New Stanton, PA, for the rest of the trip south. I've agreed to a orientation run/hike at Bird Knob, since I won't get 'enough' of the MMT Trail on Saturday and Sunday.

I'm seriously out of my league with this run/event.

But, as I contemplate what I just typed, how do I get any better? I like to be familiar with a trail. How do I get familiar with a trail? I gotta get out on it.

I'll be the slowest runner out there. I know that. That doesn't bother me, so much, as the much more talented runners bound up the trail, out of sight, within the first 1/2 mile of trail.

But I really hate to tie people up. To make folks wait for me. That's my biggest issue with being the slowest runner out there. I hate that people, the RD, the timer, the last AS workers, have to wait until I come by.

So I am hoping the folks of VHTC will tell me when I need to stop. I don't want them to be waiting on one poor slow runner who has fallen way behind the curve.

You are NOT in over your head. . . you can do this! The MT is tough, but mainly b/c it is so technical, not b/c it has so much elevation gain/loss. One foot in front of the other, don't waist time at the aid-stations, and JUST DON'T QUIT!!!

Good luck, kim! I have several friends who are supposed to run "the ring" as well! just" keep moving forward" is what I tell myself when I am bonking or hurting..my best buddy beth says "continual forward motion" means the same but provides variation so we don't have the same mantra:oP